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Photos of the major need for Engineered structural design as well as the Concept Design can be found in the PDF version of this RFP

Request for Proposal

The Eagle River Coalition (ERC) is requesting proposals from qualified consultants for environmental and engineering planning and design for a streambank erosion stabilization and restoration project at the Riverwalk in Edwards, CO. This project aims to mitigate overly steepened banks caused by excessive erosion while restoring/supporting the ecological health of the surrounding area and providing sustainable river access. The selected contractor will be responsible for the following aspects of the project; data collection, design, permitting, some construction oversight, and developing a monitoring plan.

Proposals must be submitted as one, single electronic file (PDF). via email to Peder Franson at franson@eagleriverco.org on or before 5:00 PM MDT, Friday, November 1, 2024.

If you have any questions or would like further clarification of any aspect of this request for bid, please contact Peder Franson at franson@eagleriverco.org. He will address an initial round of questions until October 10. A second round of clarifying questions will be allowed from October 21 – 25. Responses to all questions submitted by consultants will be distributed by email to all parties and posted on the ERC website by Monday, October 28 2024.

Riverwalk at Edwards Restoration Project Background

The Riverwalk at Edwards is a commercial and residential property adjacent to the Eagle River in Edwards, CO. The site offers access to multiple forms of leisure and recreation along the river, including fishing, picnicking and a walking/biking path. Its popularity has led to abundant social trails and damage to native riparian vegetation. Water quality issues stemming from the impacted vegetation, erosion and lack of adequate pollution filtration are notable, and community education is needed. Areas of significant concern include the steep east and west ends of the project site, where the steep drop to the river allows soils to sluff easily and excessively. These edges also pose safety concerns for anglers and others seeking river access. A concept restoration plan has been created, including sustainable trails, vegetation installation and interpretive signs. Eagle River Watershed Council (ERWC) is collaborating with the Riverwalk Property Owners Association (POA) and other local partners to implement the plan.

The project goals for the final project design is to address the areas of significant concern. This will be achieved by stabilizing the overly steep streambanks at the east and west ends of the project site and making them more resilient to erosion during high flow events. Additional benefits would be to develop a design that aims to strategically manage the surrounding riparian zones to support resilient streambanks that have not yet seen dramatic erosion issues so sustainable access to recreation and viewing opportunities can remain.

Background of the Eagle River Coalition

Eagle River Coalition (Formerly Eagle River Watershed Council) has a mission to advocate for the health of the Upper Colorado and Eagle River basins through research, projects, and education. The Coalition strives to protect and enhance the high-quality natural, scenic, and economic values that our rivers and tributaries provide to the citizens, visitors, and wildlife of the Eagle River and Colorado River watersheds located in Eagle County.

Our organization has been working to achieve our mission since 1992, and has direct ties to the Eagle River Environmental Business Alliance which sought to improve water quality and river experiences following the Eagle Mine Spill in the late 1980s. Since then, we have achieved measurable progress in water quality throughout the watershed and grown as an organization to better serve our community. 

Scope of Services & Deliverables

Task #1: Data Collection & Interpretation

• Work with ERC and other project partners to determine what available data is applicable and acceptable for developing a 100% project design.
• Conduct site visits to collect additional relevant data that will inform relevant models that will inform the final design.
• Analyze and interpret data as needed to inform Task #2. 

Task #2: Natural Channel Design and Plan for Phased Construction

• Using data interpreted from Task #1 and existing concept design, develop 30%, 60% and 100% designs that meets the following objectives:

1. Improve streambank stability reducing erosion and cohesively melding with present riparian habitat and floodplain function.
2. Improve surrounding natural infrastructure to buffer against damage caused by various sources of erosion (High flows & foot traffic).
   1. Maintain or improve surrounding hydrologic function using the bank stabilization design.
   2. Identify areas in which fish habitat could be affected by hydrologic changes from the design and seek solutions to maintain or improve fish habitat. 
3. Provide solutions for sustainable river/riparian recreation access.

Task #3: Provide Environmental Planning services to develop “NEPA ready” proposed action(s)

• Work with ERC staff as to create a Purpose & Need document
• Using the concept designs created in Task 2, work with ERC staff to identify and conduct appropriate data and resource-level field surveys to develop the plan and allow the project to be “NEPA ready”.
• Provide cultural resources support to ensure State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) compliance.

Task #4: Provide 3rd party support during National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) environmental analysis, compliance, permitting, and planning.

• Complete any additional fieldwork not completed during the development of the proposed action.
• Collaborate with ERC staff on the NEPA process.
• Collaborate with the ERC stakeholder facilitator to ensure the Stakeholder Group is engaged at key milestones during the NEPA process.
• Prepare necessary reports, data reviews, and other documents for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 404 permits to work within the stream, if necessary, based on the alternative chosen through either the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) or Record of Decision (ROD).

Contents of Proposals

Responses to the RFP should include a description of the following:

1. Understanding the Work. Demonstrate an understanding of the work and present an overall summary of what the Consultant determines is necessary to accomplish the goals of the project
2. Project Approach. Description of how the firm plans to complete these services (i.e. the approach), including any recommended changes or additions to the Scope of Services above. Provide any proposed strategies based on additional insight, capabilities, or perspectives of the Consultant. Clearly describe how the proposed Project Approach meets the goals of the project.
3. Project Team. Propose a project team including Consultant staff and subconsultant(s). Include resumes for individuals from all associated consultant(s) and any additional subconsultants. The resumes should emphasize recent experience of the project team and should include the following information: 
   1. Geographic location of the office to which the individual is normally assigned
   2. Proposed responsibility and function on the team
   3. Estimated percent of time and duration assigned to this project
   4. Background, relevant experience, and education
4. Anticipated Schedule. The work is anticipated to start as soon as possible. Funding for construction is available through December 2028, but we would like to aim to complete this project by 2027 or earlier. However, the NEPA permitting process will likely be the factor that informs the timeline. Though we have provided a preferred schedule for task completion outlined above, we will consider adjusting this timeline, per the recommendation of the project partners and Consultant. To this end, we request that the Consultant submit a project schedule for consideration illustrating when each task will be accomplished. 
5. Estimated Costs. Although the selection of a consultant will not be wholly based on cost, an estimate of costs for each task in the Consultant’s Scope of Work must be included. We have currently secured $30,000 for Project Design and Permitting. For Task 4, please include a base price and then a price option for a Catex, an EA and a price option for an EIS, as at this time we are unsure which level of NEPA will be required. This cost estimate, at minimum, shows the hourly rate of all team members, the estimated hours by task for each member, subconsultants costs by task, and other direct costs including proposed markups.
6. Consultant Qualifications. This section of the proposal should summarize the recent experience of the Consultant in performing related work. A maximum of five projects, completed within the last five years, may be included. For each related project, please include the following information:
   1. Name of client
   2. Name and current contact information of primary client contact.
   3. Date pertinent work was completed.
   4. Specific role of the firm on this project.
   5. Initial Consultant contract amount and initial completion date.
   6. Final Consultant contract amount and final completion date.
   7. Involvement of staff proposed for Eagle River Coalition’s project.
      
      Note: Information on projects completed by the firm that did not actively involve members of the proposed project team should be minimized. The above clients will be considered references by Eagle River Coalition that may be checked for finalists of this project.

7. Project Management Plan. The Consultant shall provide a brief project management plan for the work. The plan shall demonstrate the following:
   1. Scope, progress measurement, and reporting
   2. Schedule measurement and reporting
   3. Staff and subconsultant team management

Selection Procedure

Proposals will be reviewed and evaluated by Eagle River Coalition staff and board. This will be a selection process designated to identify the “best fit’ of Eagle River Coalition and the Consultant, taking into consideration a variety of criteria including, but not limited to, the following: 

1. 1. 1. Qualifications and experience (1 – 25 points)
      2. Project team (1 – 10 points)
      3. Project approach (1 – 20 points)
      4. Ability to meet project schedule (1 – 5 points)
      5. Past project references (references may be contacted during the review process) (1 – 10 points)
      6. Quality of proposal (1 – 10 points)
      7. Consultant fee (1 – 10 points)

Photos of the major need for Engineered structural design as well as the Concept Design can be found in the PDF version of this RFP